Bonnie Scotland, land of grandeur

  • Published
  • By John Burt
  • AFCEC Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  There are hundreds of traditional folk songs which extol the beauty of Scotland, but for Sam and Sarah Hazzard, nothing compares to seeing it in person.

In June, the Hazzards hiked the Great Glen Way, a 79-mile trail from Fort William to Inverness, Scotland. The trip, an early celebration of their 30th wedding anniversary this month, was something they had wanted to do since the early '90s when Sam was in the Air Force at Bitburg AB, Germany. For seven days, they hiked wooded trails across the countryside, along the Caledonian Canal as well as the entire 23-mile length of Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands.

"The scenery was beautiful," said Sam, Emergency Management Education and Training manager in AFCEC's Readiness Directorate, here. "You see mountains they call munros. The trail is high above Loch Ness and you can look down and see the mist blowing over the loch."

The Hazzards were able to tour the Culloden Battlefield near Inverness, the site of the bloody battle that ended the Jacobite revolt of 1745. One of the places they stayed was even said to be a house in which Bonnie Prince Charlie, the Jacobite leader who notoriously made claim to the throne of England, had visited. The trip also included a true taste of Scottish cuisine, including an opportunity to try haggis.

"It's sheep liver, heart and lungs mixed with oats and traditionally encased in the animal's stomach," said Sam. "A lot of people won't eat it, but I figured, if I'm going to Scotland, I've got to try it."

Sam was surprised at the taste.

"I liked haggis," he said. "I'd definitely have it again."

Each day, the couple hiked 10 to 15 miles, at times through typical wet Scottish weather. The rain wasn't enough, however, to dampen their enthusiasm for exploration and meeting new friends.

"The people were so engaging and willing to show us around," said Sam. "They really sought us out to speak to us and make us feel welcome."

The Hazzards had planned to make a similar trip to Ireland to celebrate their 35th anniversary.

"Sarah says she can't wait five years now," said Sam. "We are making plans to go to Ireland in 2016."